i'm closing in on finishing this project.it looks like i'll go with Tightbond WP glue and a clamp.the wax sounds ok but involves dealing with really hot bees wax,i have enough for the job but it sound tricky.temps,time in the wax and so on is a bit much for a first time effort.the end cap is still in the thinking stage but will be a brass cap with a bolt from one of the knife making shops on the web or a slice of antler or moose bone.
when i reach a stage in the process worth showing i'll start a new post.